Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/90CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 26, 1990 5:30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor McKinley, Councilpersons Buck, Budak, Fox, Wright, Angel, Dell and Brown. The purpose of the meeting was to present an urban design statement for Relocated U.S. Highway 218 as prepared by the Gateway Committee with the assistance of Rundell and Ernstberger. Don Temeyer, Planning and Development Director, reported that a preliminary informational meeting had been held at the Recreation Center on January 10th. He introduced members of the Gateway Committee including Craig Shirey, Craig Ritland, Donna Nelson, Fedon Petrides, Cecil DeLange, Bob Bortel, Wayne Sunday and Renata Sack. He also thanked staff members including Rich Earles and Bob Stevenson for the diligence in assisting the Gateway Committee. Eric Ernstberger of Rundell and Ernstberger presented the urban design statement which included recommendations on lighting, parking, sculptures, landscaping and the gathering place in the downtown area. Working with the Gateway Committee, Mr. Ernstberger presented the final work product including conceptional designs of the Gateway area. Keeping in mind the need for a fresh look and image for the community, the theme of "Window on Waterloo" was emphasized. A significant portion of the plan was the "gathering place" envisioned in the block bounded by Bluff Street, Fourth Street, Jefferson Street and Fifth Street. This open area would be used in conjunction with the Sullivan Brothers Civic Center. Of course, this is only a conceptional plan and subject to change. A major portion of the plan is landscaping. Currently, there are several state funding mechanisms that are being investigated including the Trees Program through the Iowa Department of Transportation and the REAP program administered by the Department of Natural Resources. An application has been submitted to the DNR to begin funding of the "gathering place". Discussion followed with various questions from City Council members. Most council members expressed their support for commencement of implementation of the plan. No official action was taken by the City Council. With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 26, 1990 3:45 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor McKinley, Councilpersons Buck, Budak, Wright, Fox, Angel, Dell and Brown. Mayor McKinley stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the F.Y. 1991 Budget. He reported that the budget is within $40,000 of being balanced. This deficit could be funded from the dog track handle (approximately $50,000) that is not committed to repayment of the general obligation, bond fund or reserve for repayment of RISE funds for Greyhound Drive. Mayor McKinley asked the Council to review the Fire Department budget and its need for the purchase and funding of a pumper and ambulance. The Fire Chief and Clerk/Auditor have indicated that funding for the pumper would be derived from inspection fees. Currently, fire inspection fees are scheduled to be sunsetted on June 30, 1990. Chief Stapella stated that he would be presenting a new schedule of inspection fees prior to July 1, 1990. If the fees are reinstituted July 1st, a pumper could be funded. It is anticipated that ambulance revenues will continue to increase and that these additional revenues will fund an ambulance purchase, with three year lease payments of $20,000 per year. Fire Chief Stan Stapella indicated that ambulance calls are increasing at a rate of approximately 500 calls per year. The average life of an ambulance is five years. Since the Department currently has four ambulances in use, this would mean the purchase of an ambulance nearly every year. The Mayor indicated that fire fees are not budgeted in the Fiscal Year 1991 Budget nor are the pumper or ambulance. Councilperson Fox inquired about the increasing revenues for the Parks and Forestry Departments. It was indicated that road use tax funds will be transferred to the Park Department for use in right-of-way maintenance, eligible uses of RUT funds. Dean Mhyr, Director of the Recreation Commission, indicated that the budget does not allow for the funding of part-time lifeguards at the pool. With the increase in the Federal minimum wage, the cost of additional lifeguards will be approximately $31,000 per year. Wright now present at 4:06 p.m. Councilperson Dell brought to the floor discussion concerning the Cable Commission Budget. It was reported that the Citizens Budget Review Committee recommended a funding level of $25,000 with the staff recommending $2,000. Councilperson Dell indicated his support of funding the full request of $40,000. This would be used for hiring a part-time individual as well as the purchase of equipment for local community programming. Councilperson Angel questioned why the cable franchise fees are channeled to the general fund. Larry P. Burger, Clerk/Auditor, stated that at the time the cable franchise was enacted, a commission City Council Work Session February 26, 1990 Page 2 had not been created and no formal plans for the use of the money was developed and as a result, the money was diverted to reducing the tax levy in the general fund. Burger stated that he had a concern over the proposed $10,000 for a staff person. He continued that at the price of people this would not be enough money, thus leaving the equipment unused. It was suggested that if the franchise fees are in excess of $125,000 the added revenues be diverted to use by the Cable Commission. Councilperson Budak suggested the possibility of creating a reserve fund and budgeting a yearly amount until adequate funds are available for local access. Councilpersons Angel, Wright, and Dell supported the request of the Commission for funding. Councilperson Brown stated that the Commission's request will need to be prioritized with the City's other basic functions. It was generally agreed that any revenues produced by the cable franchise fee in excess of $125,000 be diverted to a fund that will accumulate and eventually be used by the Commission in developing local programming. Roger Crimmins, representing the Waterloo Community Playhouse, asked for the Council's reconsideration for funding of its venture with the Partners in Education program to give low income students an opportunity to enjoy the theatre. He stated that the $2,000 previously given by the Council during the current year budget, has been a very productive and effective program. Ruth Fairbanks, representing Citizens Budget Review Committee, indicated that she had informally polled the Committee members and as a result the Committee was recommending that the City fund the request. Mr. Crimmins had not yet approached the schools for funding for this activity. Burger stated that it would be the staff's recommendation if funding was allowed, to leave it at the $2,000 level. Bruce Meisinger, Budget Analyst, stated that information had been received from various subsidized agencies and would be forwarded for the City Council shortly. Councilperson Dell questioned whether or not the Boys and Girls Club had been receiving proceeds from area bingo parlors. This will be researched. Councilperson Brown reiterated his objection to the City funding the "outside agencies". He stated that each of the agencies are needed in the Community but questioned the City's need to fund these charitable organizations. He indicated that the City should instead be funding such services as police, fire and streets. Councilperson Dell stated that it is not correct to equate the funding of outside agencies with the funding of the Police Department. Dell stated that it was important for the City to fund such community service agencies to show people that the City does care. Councilperson Brown indicated that these agencies are capable of soliciting outside contributions, but the City is not in a position to seek funds outside of the taxing levy authority. Councilperson Wright reminded members that the City Council had recently approved funding of a study that will provide the City and other funding agencies with information as to Community needs and what services should be funded. City Council Work Session February 26, 1990 Page 3 The Council again discussed the need for funding the Recreation Department an additional $31,000. Mayor McKinley reported that the Council could fund any additional salary expense from the anticipate reserve fund of $1.1 million. It was recommended that the published notice of hearing include funding of the Recreation Commission of an additional $31,000 and $2,000 for the Waterloo Community Playhouse. Kathy Oberle, 710 Forest Avenue, indicated her displeasure with the City's lack of funding for drug prevention for our youth. Ruth Fairbanks indicated that funding for drugs is built in to the budget many ways through the human service agencies that are funded including money for the Northeast Iowa Council on Substance Abuse and monies in the Police Department for the DARE program. Mayor McKinley also indicated that shifts in the personnel of the Police Department have been made for drug enforcement purposes. Councilperson Budak stated that if the City determined a need for additional patrol for drug prevention, the City would deal with it at that time. Reinstitution of the foot patrol in Sullivan Park was recommended by the Citizen's Budget Review Committee. B.J. Furgerson, Director of Human Rights, reiterated her concern that if the City was considering the reinstitution of the liaison program that it be restructured prior to its initiation. No official action was taken on the budget. A public hearing on the Fiscal Year 1991 Budget is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 1990, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor